Office machine



F. N. SCHWEND ET AL .Filed Oct. 4, 1949 Feb. 6, 1951 l 1 f l/ l f f l ff f Ell E3 INVENTORS. HQE@ N. .SCHWEND A703527 E. 5eme/4 ATTURNE Y l l 1f, l f l f.

Patented Feb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OFFICE MACHINEApplication October 4, 1949, Serial No. 119,518

(CL 23S-1) 5 Claims.

This invention relates to ofce machines, such as adding, calculating,check writing, stenographic andV the like machines which utilize akeyboard for entering values and factors into the machine, and hasparticular reference to an arrangement for facilitating transporting andstoring such machines.

In machines of the above type it is normally desirable, for conveniencein operating and viewing the keyboard, that the latter be inclined at anangle to the horizontal. Consequently, adding and the like machines aregenerally designed with the keyboard permanently inclined. However, byso inclining the keyboard, the machine is made higher and more bulkythan would otherwise be necessary. This increase in heighth is often adecided disadvantage when attempting to store the machine in a deskdrawer or other relatively small storage space and in order to overcomethese disadvantages, a telescoping or collapsing machine arrangement hasbeen developed as disclosed and claimed in the cepending application ofNadine Freeman et al., Serial No. 119,519, led Oct. 4, 1949,

Also, in the copendi-ng application of Robert '-5 E. Boyden, Serial No.119,517, filed Oct. 4, 1949, retractable carrying handles which arepermanently mounted on the machine are dsclosed and claimed. Suchhandles facilitate carrying of the machine and when in retractedposition are out Another object is to utilize carrying handles of theforegoing type to control the above noted collapsing feature.

The above objects are accomplished by the present invention by providinga locking device for selectively locking the machine in d'iferent tiltedpositions, which lock is controlled by the carrying handles. Movement ofthe handles from retracted to extended carrying positions releases thelocking device permitting the base and chassis of the machine to berelatively positioned.

As an example of the use of the present invention, let it be assumedthat the machine is in its extended normal operating position and thatit is desired to place the same in a desk or other storage compartmentof limited space. The handles are first raised to carrying position,thereby releasing the locking device, and the machine is carried to itsstorage place. As the machine is placed in its storage compartment anddrawer VCI pressed down into collapsed condition. Thereafter, thehandles are allowed to drop into their retracted positions which enablesthe lockingdevice to again function to lock the machine into suchcollapsed condition.

When it is desired to later use the machine, the handles are raised tolift the machine, thereby releasing the locking device so that themachine may assume its extended Operating condition. After carrying themachine to the place where it is to be operated, the handles are merelyreleased to their retracted, positions thus locking the machine in suchextended or raised operating condition.

The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention which isintended for the purpose of explaining the nature of the invention andthe manner of its use without intending that the invention should beconsidered as limited to the details of the construction hereindisclosed.

Fig. 1 is a perspective vieW of an adding machine embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line2 2 of Fig. 4, illustrating the locking device and controls therefor,for locking the machine in diiferent tilted positions.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially along the line3-3 of Fig. 4, illustrating the pivotal support for the machine chassis.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along theAline -l of Fig. 2.

The machine is illustrated as an adding Inachine embodying a 1seybcardcomprising a series of keys ll for the purpose of entering selectedamounts and for conditioning and controlling the computing mechanisms ofthe machine as desired. A rotatable platen lil is provided adjacent therear of the machine to carry a paper strip past a printing mechanism(not shown) for the purpose of recording. various factors and amounts onthe strip.

lt is to be understood, however, that the machine may be of the ten keytype (as shown) or the full key keyboard type, either hand driven ormotor driven, and may alternatively be a calculating machine, checkWriter or the like since the present invention is not limited to anyparticular type of keyboard equipped ofce machine but can be applied toany of the above and other types with equal advantage.

Generally, in all such machines, however, the computing and operatingmechanisms thereof are carried by a traine or chassis. ln the presentinstance, a chassis, generally indicated at i2, is provided to carry thevarious mechanisms (not shown) of the machine and comprises a door plateE3 having sides lil integral therewith. End braces l and l5 (Fig. e)extend across and are suitably secured to the ends of the side framesiii, thus forming a rigid boxlike frame unit for containing andsupporting the operating mechanisms.

A housing il' of plastic or the like extends over the machine properhaving an opening i3 in the tcp thereof through which the keys l iextend. The housing includes a skirt i9 extending downwardly therearoundto cover the sides ld and end braces i5 and l5 oi the machine frame.

The housing l? is removably secured to the frame i2 through brackets 253(Figs. 3 and 4) suitably attached to the frame sides it. Screws 2lremovably secure the housing to the brackets 2li from the under side ofthe machine so as to be invisible from the exterior.

The chassis unit, including the housing il, is mounted on a supportingbase generally indicated at 22 for movement into either of two positionsabout coaxial pivot pins 2t located adjam centthe front end of themachine. The base 22 comprises a floor plate 2li mounted on machinesupporting feet 9. An integral skirt 25 extends upwardly from the base22 and is located between the sides lil of the machine frame i2 and theskirt i9 of the housing il, thus forming a substantially soundproof anddustproof enclosure for the operating parts of the machine in eithertilted position of the chassis unit about the pins 23.

The pins 23 extend through the forward portion o1 the frame sides ifiand the slr' the base, thus forming trunnion bearings, and are attachedto slides 25. The latter are prom vided with slots 2l guided over pins2S attached to the floor plate 2d, permitting the pins 23 to beretracted so as to enable the chassis to be removed from the base forrepair or inspection purposes. Ears 3@ extend upwardly :from theadjacent ends of the slides 2@ and a compression spring 3l' is insertedtherebetween to normally holdthe slides and pivot pins 23 in their outerillustrated positions. rfabs S3 extend downwardly from the adjacent endsor" the slides 25, through an opening 'Si in the oor plate 2d, wherebythe latter may be grasped and moved inwardly to release the pins 23 frompivotal engagement with the skirt of base 22.

Means are provided for selectively locking the machine chassis andhousing ll in either their normal tilted operating position, as shown inthe full lines in the drawings, or in collapsed position, illustrated bydot-and-dash lines lla (Fig. 4), for storage or the like purposeswherein the upper surface or the housing il and the general plane of thekeyboard extends substantially horizontally or parallel with thesupporting surface for the machine.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, in. particular, lock pieces 35 are providedon opposite sides of the machine chassis and each is pivoted on a pin itextending between two transverse plates d? and 353. The latter areformed with tenons t@ tting snugly within holes in the sides id wherebyto hold the plates in rigid relation to the machine chassis. Each lockpiece 35 has a locking ear 4i on the lower end thereof adapted to lockwithin either of two spaced openings or detents i2 formed in theadjacent side portion of the skirt 25 or the base 22. The upper end ofeach lock piece is provided with an extension i3 and a spring ifi istensioned between this extension and the chassis floor plate i3 so as tonormally hold the lock piece in locking engagement with one or the otherof the openings 42.

Carrying handles generally indicated at l5 are provided for carrying themachine from place to place. These handles are U-shaped and the legsi635 of each thereof are pivoted on two spaced frame pins One of saidpins extends between 'the aforementioned transverse plates 3l and S8 andthe other pin extends between a second pair of similar frame plates l??and lit.

The legs of the handles extend through openings #i9 in the top of thehousing Il and, when in retracted position, nt in wells 5t so that theupper surfaces of such handle legs will lie iiush with the upper surfaceof the housing. This arrangement places the handles out of the way ofthe operators fingers and obviates the possibility cf his fingers orfingernails catching on the-same when manipulating t le keys il.

The rearmost leg of each handle is provided with a foot El extending atright angles thereto and a spring 52 is extended between such feet tonormally hold the handles in their retracted pon sitions. However, whenthe handles are raised to their carrying positions shown by the dottedlines 45a in Fig. 2 for the purpose of carrying the machine, the feet 5lwill engage the extensions 3 oi the lock pieces t5, thereby rocking suchlock pieces to retract the locking ears di thereot` from engagement withthe base so that the chas- Sis may be lowered into its collapsedposition. By releasing the handles l5 to their retracted positions whilethe chassis is held in its collapsed position, the ears di of thelocking pieces will be inserted by their springs lil into the loweropenings to lock the chassis in this position.

Likewise, if it is desired to locate the machine in extended operatingcondition, the handles are raised to carrying position, permitting thechassis to be moved to its upper, extended position wherein it can belocked by releasing the handles to their retracted positions.

A spring 55 is tensioned between an extension 5t of the rear oi the baseskirt 25 and an extension 5'@ or" the chassis frame l2 to normally urgethe chassis into its upper position when released by the locking piecesSe. fi stop 558 is mounted on the skirt 25 to arrest the chassis when itreaches its upper extended position.

The handles i5 are so arranged that when in carrying position they willact as an integral part or rigid extension of the machine so as toeliminate any free swinging action or pendulum swinging of the machinewhile being carried. For this purpose, it will be noted that the handlesstraddle the keyboard, and the inner pivoted ends of the legs thereofare located on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machinebut in spaced apart relation from each other. As the handles d5 aremoved to their carrying positions @5a wherein they rock the lockingpieces 35 to released positions, the latter engage pins 53 extendingbetween the adjacent side plates lil, 38, il and iid, thereby limitingmovement by the handles beyond their spaced apart carrying positions@5a. Thus, when the operator grasps the handles in order to carry themachine, the latter will form a rigid unit and a rigid extension of themachine.

Having thus described the invention, what we desire to secure by UnitedStates Letters Patentis:

1. In an ofnce machine, the combination oi a machine chassis, a base,means on said base supporting said chassis for movement relative to saidbase, means for selectively locking said chassis in any of a pluralityoi positions relative to said base, a handle for carrying said machine,means supporting said handle on said chassis for movement between aretracted position and a carrying position, and means controlled by saidhandle upon movement thereof between said retracted position and saidcarrying position for releasing said locking means.

2. In an office machine, the combination machine chassis, a base, meanson said base supporting said chassis for tilting movement asubstantially vertical direction, means for selectively locking saidchassis in any of a plurality of tilted positions, a handle for carryingsaid machine, means supporting said handle on Said chassis for movementbetween a retracted position and a carrying position, and meanscontrolled by said handle upon movement thereof from said retractedposition to said carrying position for releasing said locking means.

3. In an omce machine, the combination of a machine chassis, a base,means pivotally supporting said chassis on said base for tiltingmovement about a horizontal axis, means for selectively locking saidchassis in any of a plurality of positions relative to said base, ahandle for carrying said machine, means pivotally supporting said handleon said chassis for movement between a retracted position and a carryingposition, and means operable by said handle upon movement ola thereoffrom said retracted position to said carrying position for releasingsaid locking means.

4. In an office machine, the combination of a machine chassis, a base,means pivotally supporting said chassis on said base for tiltingmovement about a horizontal axis, detent means on said base, a lockingelement carried by said chassis and engageable with said detent meansfor locking said chassis in any of a plurality of positions relative tosaid base, a handle for carrying said machine, means on said chassispivotally supporting said handle for movement between a retractedposition and a carrying position, and means operable by said handle uponmovement thereof from retracted position to carrying position forreleasing said locking element from engagement with said detent means.

5. In an ofce machine, the combination of a machine chassis, a base,means pivotally supporting said chassis on said base for tiltingmovement about a horizontal aXis, a locking element carried by saidchassis and engageable with said base for locking said chassis in any ofa plurality of positions relative to said base, spring means fornormally engaging said locking el-ement with said base, a handle forcarrying said machine, means on said chassis pivotally supporting saidhandle for movement between a retracted position and a carryingposition, and means on said handle adapted upon movement thereof fromsaid retracted position to said carrying position to release saidlocking element from engagement with said base.

FRED N. SCHWEND. ROBERT E. BOYDEN.

No references cited.

